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Tokyo court denies latest bail request of Nissan's Ghosn

Former auto executive (64) likely to remain in custody until trial despite offer to wear tag

Tue, Jan 22, 2019, 06:50

Carlos Ghosn repeated his intent to clear his name in court in a statement released on Monday. Photograph: Philippe Wojazer/Reuters

Carlos Ghosn’s latest request for bail was rejected by a Tokyo court on Tuesday, despite the ousted Nissan chairman offering to wear an electronic ankle tag in an unusual bid to win release after two months of detention for alleged financial crimes.

The ruling, widely anticipated, raises the likelihood that the 64-year-old executive will remain in custody until his trial, and will put pressure on Nissan’s French partner Renault to find his successor as chairman and chief executive.

Renault’s board is expected to meet in the coming days to decide who will succeed Mr Ghosn, essentially removing him from the three-way alliance, which also includes Mitsubishi and has been in turmoil since his arrest.

Mr Ghosn was almost immediately ousted from the chairmanship of Nissan and Mitsubishi after his initial arrest on November 19th, but remains chairman and chief executive of their French partner.

He has been officially charged for under-reporting his salary for eight years through March 2018 and temporarily transferring personal financial losses to Nissan’s books. Mr Ghosn denies the charges.

The court did not give a reason for the denial. Bail is rarely granted for defendants in Japan without a confession.

Mr Ghosn’s lawyer was not immediately available for comment after the Tokyo District Court announced its decision.

Mr Ghosn’s latest bail request had also included an offer to hire guards to monitor him and a promise to remain in Tokyo, where he has leased an apartment. He offered to post stock he owns in Nissan as collateral, his spokeswoman said.

An earlier request for bail was denied last week due to concerns the executive, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenship, was a flight risk, and that he may tamper with evidence if released.

In a statement released on Monday, Mr Ghosn repeated his intent to clear his name in court.

“I will attend my trial not only because I am legally obligated to do so, but because I am eager to finally have the opportunity to defend myself,” he said.

“I am not guilty of the charges against me and I look forward to defending my reputation in the courtroom.”

Partnership in turmoil

The arrest of the once-feted executive, who orchestrated the turnaround of Nissan two decades ago, has clouded the future of the partnership between Nissan and Renault.

Mr Ghosn had pushed for a deeper tie-up between Nissan and Renault, including possibly a full merger, despite strong reservations at the Japanese carmaker.

On Monday, Nissan chief executive Hiroto Saikawa said it was not the time to discuss revising the partners’ complicated capital ties. Local media have reported that a French government delegation has informed Tokyo that it would seek an integration of Renault and Nissan, most likely under the umbrella of a single holding company.

Renault owns a 43.4 per cent stake in Nissan, which in turn holds a non-voting 15 per cent stake in Renault. The French government owns a 15 per cent voting stake in Renault.

Nissan, which has been conducting an internal probe into misconduct by Mr Ghosn, believes he misused company funds for personal purposes, including payments related to his compensation, his residences dotted around the globe and payments to family members, people with knowledge of the issue say. – Reuters